Congressional Republicans have been using the same old sing-song about how the American people don't want health care reform. They are extremely careful to avoid any kind of documentation to substantiate that absurd claim.
The American Association of Retired People (AARP) has endorsed passage of the bill. Before their endorsement, they spent months visiting congressional offices, conducting town-hall meetings, going to community events and sifting through 8.7 million pieces of mail in order to get the truth about health care reform.
ABC News reported that 58 percent of the American people believe American health care to be broken and something needs to be done. I am sorry that ABC did not release any specifics on their poll, but it is still becoming increasingly apparent to anyone who does not have an obligation to an insurance company or a pharmaceutical corporation, that the people really do want the bill passed.
"Socialized medicine" was a term used by large corporations when President Truman tried to reform health care during the anti-communist "Red Scare." The bill that is now under consideration is not government-run because it will preserve employee-based health care and provide a range of private plans for people buying coverage for themselves.
The current bill will not ration care because it will not stand between individuals and their doctors or prevent anyone from choosing the best possible care. Instead, it will help ensure that doctors are paid fairly so that they will continue to treat Medicare patients.
Dennis D. Wakefield
South Ogden
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